Apologies

It's done. I watched him as he picked up the document from the floor and drove away" someone informed Pedro through the phone.

Pedro cut the call and smiled to himself, he and Tomasso were one step ahead of getting his cartel.

"Father" Stefano called as he stepped into his father's study "How did it go?" he asked.

"Splendid!" his father replied him with so much enthusiasm.

"You mean he has signed it already?".

"No, not yet but he will. And when we get his cartel we won't stop there" Pedro faced his son.

"I know, we can't just end there. We'll have to deal with him for what he caused mother" Stefano's eyes shone with determination.

"Now you are talking son" Pedro laughed heartily.

Stefano walked round his study and picked a book from the shelf.

"What if he doesn't sign it?" Stef asked and collapsed on a chair, all the possible odds ran through his mind.

"If he doesn't, we'll go for plan B" his father replied.

"Which is?" Stefano inquired.

"Hiring Mattia Russo to bomb all the places his cartel has connections with, then all the investments would fall back and his cartel would crumble" Pedro explained.

"Mattia Russo?"

"Yeah, he's a freelance man, a good one at that".

"So you've arranged with this guy" Stefano said.

Pedro sat opposite him and ate a piece of potato chips lying on a plate.

"Yes. I and Tomasso would be meeting with him in a week" he leaned back on his chair "You could come if you want to" his father offered.

"I see" Stefano said, impressed.

**********

Aldo slammed his car keys down on the table, he glanced at the wall clock and it read 1:34pm, he was late. He had hoped he'd be able to apologize to them but everyone was eventually asleep. He knew what he was going to do, he'll prepare breakfast for everyone in the morning and make his apologies.

Morning came and breakfast was ready, he rushed up to his room to freshen up and there, he met his wife straightening the bedsheets.

"Honey" he called. His wife stopped what she was doing and turned to face him.

"I'm sorry I came late yesterday" he apologized.

"There's nothing to be sorry about, you are always late" she reminded him.

"I'm sorry for those times too Alicia" she didn't respond to him causing him to call out her name again " Alicia, I'm sorry".

"The kids aren't happy with you" she sighed and dumped the bedsheet on the floor facing him fully.

"I know. Please could you help me call them down for breakfast?" he requested.

Alicia looked at him with confusion etched on her face.

"Please" he pleaded.

"Fine" she gave in and rushed out of the room.

"Be there also!" he called out.

Aldo smiled to himself and peeled his shirt off, he rummaged through his cupboard and brought out a suit. He tossed it to the bed and went into the bathroom.

******

"Hey Leo" his mom knocked lightly on his door which was slightly opened, she poked her head in and saw him crouched on the floor, beside his TV, playing a video game.

"Leo" she called again, he looked up at her surprised "May I come in?".

"What? I mean sure, yeah" he turned the TV off and got up.

Alicia walked in and surveyed his room.

"What's wrong?" he asked already getting queasy. His mom faced him with a serious face.

"Come down for breakfast" her tone was Authoritative, then she turned and left.

"Ehi!" Leo hit his chest in relief "I thought it was something serious".

******

Alicia got into Bella's room and summoned her for breakfast, Bella was reluctant at first but with just one glare from her mom, she swallowed her words back in.

"Sure mom" Bella feigned a smile.

Bella and Leonardo were present in the dining room, they stood transfixed on the ground as they watched their dad set the table with their mom.

"Don't you just stand there you two" their father spoke "Have a seat". They sat down and waited for their parents to have theirs. Once they were settled, their mom dished the food into their plates then they began to eat in silence.

"Ahem" Aldo cleared his throat "I'm sorry" he said out if the blues.

Bella and Leonardo exchanged glances, they weren't expecting that.

"I know this might sound strange but... I'm giving you both your freedom" he looked up to see their reaction, and like he expected, it was an expression of confusion, surprise and disbelieve merged together.

"I'm apologizing to you both for being a bad and an uncaring father, and to your mom for being a bad husband. In all, I'm sorry for being a bad family man".

"Seriously?" Leo dropped his fork and stared at his father in disbelieve.

"Mmm" he nodded "No more bodyguards, you both are now free to move around, go to parties, hang out with friends. Just do whatever you want" he smiled and looked at everyone around the table.

"Don't tell me this is another fake promise of yours" Bella said.

"It's not, I'm sincerely sorry".

Isabella nodded in affirmation and began eating, she was happy deep within, she really didn't want any of her father's entourage following her around like a dog following it's master.

She glanced at Leo, a wide smile was spread across his lips. Bella couldn't help but give out a chuckle. It must be Luna, she thought.